IU Auditorium 2019-20 season features Bloomington premieres of 'Book of Mormon,' 'Color Purple'

For the first time, IU Auditorium will present two weeklong Broadway runs in the same season, with Tony Award-winning musicals "The Book of Mormon" and "Les Misérables." Other Broadway hits on the schedule include the Bloomington premieres of "The Color Purple," "Waitress" and "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical."

Other performances include "The Daily Show" host Trevor Noah performing two Friday-night homecoming weekend shows, fan favorite "Stomp," a dance performance by Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane Company and music by the Minnesota Orchestra.

Threaded throughout the season are numerous ties to IU and the IU Auditorium stage:

The first performance of the season features IU graduate Edgar Meyer, along with longtime collaborators Béla Fleck and Zakir Hussain.

Department of Theatre, Drama and Contemporary Dance Visiting Scholar and IU alumna Harriet Leve is co-producer of both "Stomp" and "Beautiful."

The time-honored annual holiday shows will return with performances by the IU-born a cappella group Straight No Chaser, IU alumnus Dennis James and the IU Singing Hoosiers.

"We at IU Auditorium are thrilled to present the 2019-20 season as part of Indiana University's bicentennial celebration," IU Auditorium executive director Doug Booher said. "This milestone season is packed with something for everybody including four Bloomington Broadway premieres. ... We are also excited to present two Friday-night performances by Trevor Noah that harken back to the earlier traditions of homecoming when IU welcomed legendary comedians such as Red Skelton, Bob Newhart and Bob Hope. And once again, we will continue expanding our efforts to connect visiting artists to our local community."

To get the best possible seats, patrons may become IU Auditorium subscribers by choosing five or more season events. They can purchase these using a variety of payment options, including payroll deduction for IU employees and bursar billing for IU students.

Subscribing at this time allows patrons to get the best seats available before tickets go on sale to the general public on Aug. 20 for "The Book of Mormon" and Aug. 30 for all remaining shows. In addition, subscriptions and pre-orders can take advantage of an up to 15 percent savings on most show titles.

For more information, visit IUauditorium.com or call 812-855-1103. The priority date for subscriptions to the 2019-20 season is July 19.

The IU Auditorium 2019-20 season is presented with support from season partners Curry Auto Center, The Herald-Times, B97, IU Residential Programs and Services, World Arts Inc. and the Cook Family of Companies.

To see the complete list of events, visit IUauditorium.com. Tickets are available online 24/7 at IUauditorium.com or in person at the IU Auditorium box office, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Trevor Noah, Oct. 11: The Emmy Award-winning host of "The Daily Show" is bringing his stand-up comedy back to Bloomington for two performances to kick off homecoming weekend.

"Dennis James Hosts Halloween," Oct. 24: A world-renowned cinema organist and IU alumnus, James returns for his annual family-friendly spooky spectacular, which will bring silent film "The Lost World" to life on IU Auditorium's 4,543 pipe organ.

"The Book of Mormon," Oct. 29 to Nov. 3: The Bloomington premiere of the nine-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word.

The Minnesota Orchestra, Jan. 22: The Grammy Award-winning orchestra, now in its second century and led by music director Osmo Vänskä, ranks among America's top symphonic ensembles, with a distinguished history of acclaimed performances. Featuring renowned pianist and IU Jacobs School of Music professor André Watts.

"Les Misérables," Feb. 4 to 9: Cameron Mackintosh's new production of the Tony Award-winning musical comes direct from an acclaimed two-and-a-half-year return to Broadway. This timeless musical about love, courage and hope was the first to play IU Auditorium for a full-week run in 1989 and will run for a full week in 2020.

Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company, Feb. 22: As part of the IU Bicentennial celebration, IU Auditorium is a co-commissioner of Jones' newest work: "On the Water." Opening with solo movement to the iconic words of the Rev. Martin Luther King, this work explores the relationship of loneliness and group identity and evolves to an ensemble of 100 professional and local community dancers.

"The Color Purple," Feb. 24 and 25: The 2016 Tony Award winner for Best Musical Revival will make its Bloomington debut in 2020 with its Grammy-winning score of jazz, gospel, ragtime and blues, giving a new spirit to this Pulitzer Prize-winning story.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, March 10: Influenced by traditional South African music and originating in the 1960s, the five-time Grammy Award-winning singing group will return to Bloomington for the first time since 2009.

"Waitress," March 31 and April 1: Making its Bloomington debut, the fun and contemporary Broadway hit is an uplifting and hilarious musical brought to life by a groundbreaking, all-female creative team.

"Beautiful: The Carole King Musical," April 17 to 19: Featuring over two dozen pop classics, including "You've Got a Friend," "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" and "Natural Woman," this musical commemorates a music legend who graced the IU Auditorium stage over 40 years ago.